If your aging loved one is residing in a quality nursing home, then you can rest assured that they are receiving the care that they need. While the staff can provide excellent care to your family member, they may be unable to sit at the individual's bedside around the clock. If you or your loved one would feel more comfortable with additional monitoring and extra care, consider the benefits that private caregivers can provide.  

Quickly Identifying Condition Changes 

The health of ill elderly people can quickly decline, which means that even subtle changes need to be identified and addressed as quickly as possible. If the nurses and nursing assistants are tending to other residents of the nursing home, they may not be in your loved one's room if their condition should take a turn. Private caregivers will sit near your family member's bedside and monitor their vital signs such as blood pressure, pulse rate, and respiratory rate, as well as their overall appearance, including skin color changes.

The private caregiver will also frequently assess the resident's cognitive status to check for any mental status changes that could be indicative of an infection, cardiovascular event, or neurological problem. As soon as the caregiver notices any changes in the individual's health status, they will either notify the primary care physician themselves or relay the changes to one of the floor nurses who can notify the nursing home doctor.

Emotional Support And Companionship

While private caregivers such as private nurses have the experience to address health issues as they arise, they can also provide emotional support and companionship to your loved one. Elderly people can become socially isolated, which can lead to depression, mood disorders, sleep problems, and anxiety. Private caregivers can engage nursing home residents in enjoyable activities such as playing board games, playing bingo, and doing crafts. In addition, the caregiver can take your loved one for short walks outside of the facility so that they can enjoy some fresh air and sunshine. After getting both your permission and the facility's permission, the caregiver can even take the resident on short day trips for shopping and dining out.

If your aging loved one lives in a nursing home and you would like them to receive additional care and monitoring, consider the above benefits that private caregivers can offer. When your family member has around-the-clock monitoring, subtle changes in their health and mental status may be more likely to be noticed early on. In addition, the extra emotional support and companionship may give your loved one a brighter outlook on life so that they can better enjoy their golden years.

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